nflaonline.com






)A UNIVERSITY -
UBCiBEROF 2-
Hi H LIB WEST
S BOX 117001 -,11-7001
,INviLL E FL.J
hho . o -


CodeRED makes its debut


*Page 3A


THIRD ANNUAL

OLDTIMER'S REUNION, 5A


Lafayette County, local
schools implement emergency
notification systems
Staff
Lafayette County Emergency Management has
contracted with-Emergency Communications Net-
work, Inc., of Ormond Beach, for its CodeRED
high-speed telephone emergency notification ser-
vices. The CodeRED system gives county officials
the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency tele-
phone notification; information messages to tar-


geted areas or the entire county at a rate of up to
60,000 calls per hour.
The CodeRED system is a geographical based
notification system, which means street addresses
are needed to select which phone numbers will re-
ceive emergency notification calls in any given sit-
uation. The system works well for cell phones too,
but a street address is required. People who have
recently moved but-kept the same listed or unlist-
ed phone number also need to change their ad-.
dress in the database.
The CodeRED system is an efficient tool for no-
tifying all county residents of any hazardous situ-
ations. However, this system is only as good as


the telephone database supporting it.
If your phone number is not in the database, ,
you will not be called. The CodeRED system not
only offers faster calling rates and improved mes-
sage delivery it gives individuals and businesses
the ability to add their own phone numbers di-
rectly to the system's telephone database. This is
an important feature that ensures that all .those
who wish to be part of the notification system will
not be left out.
To ensure no one is omitted, Emergency Man-
agement encourages all individuals and business-
SEE CODERED, PAGE 8A


Inaugu ral Cooks Hammock


Hog Festival a big hit


hog contest at the inaugural Cooks Hammock Hog Festival take off after their targets. Photo: Submitted


By Janet Story
The festival began at 5
a.m. on Jan. 30 with 11 four-,
man teams entering the hog
competition. Entry fee was
$80 per team with a 'man
from each team chosen to
participate with another
team. All participants left
Cooks Hammock General
Store at 6 a.m. Teams hunt-
ed private clubs, private
property or in the Mallory
Swamp Management Area.
A special treat was provided
by SRWMD by allowing
five horseback teams to
hunt the R.O. Ranch, with
six dogs per team and
knives only.
The check in at 5 p.m. was
held at Cooks Hammock
General Store and each
team told tales of their ex-
periences of the day around
A. the weigh-in scales
The R.O. Ranch experi-
'ences featured one team's
runaway mule team and
seemed to be more of a
.. rodeo than a hunt! The R.O.
Ranch teams managed to
bring in 25 hogs, with a to-
tal of 51 hogs harvested.
The hunters and their dogs
did a fantastic job of har-


vesting the hogs and the
competition was fierce.
The second day of the fes-
tival began with three BBQ
contestants firing up their,


cookers and getting down to
business with some serious
cooking of eight of the har-
vested hogs. There was a lot
of whispering about secret ..


recipes and sauces, but none
of the cookers would share
their recipes.
SEE INAUGURAL, PAGE 8A


COUNTY
COMMISSION
UPDATE

Board

approves

R.O. Ranch

zoning

extension
BARBARA GILL
Free Press Reporter
barbara.giIIgaflnews.corn

ReppQting for, the
Chamber of Commerce,
Jim Hollis was pleased
to say that approximate-'
ly 3,000 brochures from
the Original Florida
group were handed out
to thevisitors at the
Tampa Outdoor Show,
Feb. 27-March 1. The
Original Florida groups
represents 13 north cen-
tral Florida counties and
promotes tourism.
"This event has grown
steadily these past. few
years," according to Hol-
lis.
He told the board of
county commissioners
about several conversa-
tions with individuals
who were originally
from this area or own
property here.
The first Mayo Music
in the Park was held last
Saturday and Hollis re-
ported that it was very
successful. At one point
he counted 100 in atten-
dance, he said. Several
people called it "a great
idea" and look forward
to the next monthly
event on April 4.
Brian Kauffman, facili-
ties manager for the R.O.
Ranch Equestrian Park,
requested an extension
on the ranch's special ex-
ception. Discussion fol-
lowed regarding a zon-
ing change to include all
planned expansions that
would eliminate the
need for any further spe-
cial exceptions or exten-

SEE BOARD, PAGE 8A
r-----------1



IIp ubllx /I


I For Kids12 & JUnder I
INo Purchase Necessary
Must Present Coupon
L*- Limit 1 Per Person


La~eteCony' evssuresic 18.Wer poIdt sre


Patrice's School of Dance

performs at Daytona 500


Local dancers with the Hamburger Helper mascot. Story and photos, Page 7A.


h 4








MUMI1 1n T_ MIMI wrn PF Mv L T MAR- CH 12I 2009


Security


(Psalm 23). He will be at
your beck and call when
you suffer from an illness;E
possibly'cancer or a heart
attack. Jesus will console
you while, you grieve
over the death of a loved'
one; a separation or di-
vorce. Your money, insur-
ance, stocks, bonds, an-
nuities, other investments
etc. will riot be much of a
consolation when. your
David H. MMitier, Doctor of world is falling apart. You
Pastoral Counseling can depend on the inse-
S, ocurity of financial assets!
You .hear people all YOU CAN BE SECURE
over talking about finan- IN HIM! A mother might
cial security these days. discard her baby -but Isa-
Will I be able to stockpile iah, under the inspiration
enough cash so that my ..of the Holy Ghost said,
children will get the edu- "yea, they may forget but
cation they desire? Will I yet will I not forget thee.
have enough to have a se- Behold, I have graven
cure retirement? Hey, thee upon the palms of
when. you get right down myhands;" '(Isaiah 49:15,
toit, "will Ibeabletopur- 16a). It seems that the
chase groceries and ne-r most secure place would
cessities?" Many have be the arms of a mother
been shaken by the recent but that isn't necessarily
downfall of large finan- so, especially in our day!
cial institutions and fluc- But YOU CAN DEPEND
tuations in the stock mar- ON HIM!
ket... "Will there be anoth- To be secure your hope
er great depression?" ("hope," as used in the:
they ask. There may be a Bible doesn't mean, "I
time coming ':soon when hope so;" it may or may
you will not even be able', not happen. As used in
to purchase the bare ne- the Bible it has the idea of
cessities! peanut butter something secure to look,
and jelly!, forward to) of eternal life
Everybody wants job must be built on TRUTHa
security especially dur- (Matthew 7:24; John 14:6;
ing these dayswhen busi- 17:17).
nesses don't provide the The indication of one's"
security they once did. being born again is
Even businesses are feel- his/her good works. But,
mg the crunch of higher notice the order new
prices. We alllike toknow birth, then good works._
that things will be in Faith comes before good
place, the sun will' come works. But if that faith
up, our 'money will still doesn't produce good
have value, and our in- works it has no value; it
vestments will sfill'be se- isn't the real thing (fames
cure; when we wake up 2:17). )When a born-again ,
inthe morning. child of God doesn't do
Outside of God there is good ,works he'll be pun-
no security. He will ac- isbed( ebrews' 12:5-8)."If
company you through,, he is' not punished, ac-,
your next hardship cording to, the Word 'of


God, he isn't the real
thing; he's illegitimate.
(Many believe when
John, in 1 John 5:16,
speaks of "... a sin .unto
death," he is talking
about God punishing a
believer because of his
sin. Not necessarily the
"BIG SINS," but the little
sins that ruin the testimo-
ny of a Christian. In. ef-
fect, God says, "You are
doing more harm than
good down here so I
might as well bring you
home.") But notice what
it says in Hebrews 12:5
"have ye forgotten the ex-
hortation which speaketh
unto you as unto chil-
dren." No matter what
you do you'll 'always be
your father's child. Even
when you have dis-
obeyed him and he had to
severely punish you,
you're still his child! God
will not cast out His chil-
dren either! Their "walk"
must match their "talk,"
or God will bring chas-
tisement into their lives -
but He'll never disown
him as His child (He-
brews : 13:5). A child's
mother and father might
throw him out for not
obeying but they can't
change the relationship;
he's still their child; he
was born into their fami-
ly! God doesn't forsake
his children! When you
were born into God's
family you became His
child; you were "sealed"
by the Holy Ghost (II
Corinthians 1:21, 22; Eph-
esians 1:13; 4:30).' At that
time you were guaran-
teed a home in Heaven;
eternal life (1 John 5:11-
13)! God will not go
back on His Word! That is
SECURITY, security of
the believer!
David H. Matier, DPC
Christian/Biblical Couisel- '
ing: dmatier@alltel.net i


March 13th 5:30 p.m.


Entertainment by

William Scott & Silverado

Dinner Provided by Ms. Wilma

Cost is *8.50 per plate


Live Auction 6:30

Location:

Live Oak Church of God

Hwy. 129 South, Live Oak

For questions or donations contact the auction
chair Monja Robinson at 386-208-4734 -,
1, ;5 610719-F


OITURE


Marie Cru

Marie Crum ,
Mayo went to 1
the Jesus Febru
2009. She passe
peacefully at
Hospice in Lake
ter- a long llnKe
was a loving wifi
er and grandmot
was married 29
Charles A. Crum
derful husband m
gone on before h
She is survived
daughter Don
Williams & Son
Gregory Willia
Mayo; grandc
Charles W
Michael Williax
Josiah Williams.
She was also
mother to Louis
and Charles E
who have also
before her. She
step-grandmoth
Tracy, Shelly,
Lance, Chris ani
and also has seven
step-great-grand
all of Ohio.
A memorial
held at a later d
donations can be
her name to Hav
pice, 6037 US 90
City, FL 32055 o
www.havenhosp
Daniels
Homes & Cre
Inc. of Live Oa
charge of all a
ments.

Sharold-P.. M

Mr. Sharold P
Morgan, 67,, of
'Fla.,,passed away
March 6,; 2009 in.
Hospitaliat the U
ty of Florida f(
an extended illne
Mr. Morgan w
tive and lifelong
of, Lafayette
where-.l he, was '-

Mayo

celebi


April 10, 1941 to the late
m David Perpont, and
Edith Hendrix, Morgan.
83, of He was of the Baptist
be with faith and was a member
lary 28, of Midway Baptist
d away Church where he served
Haven as a deacon for many
Citi af- years. Mr. Morgan was a
ss. -She lifelong farmer who en-
e,_moth- joyed fishing and hunfi-
her. She ing in his spare tithe. He
years to was a loving and devot-.
, a won- ed husband, father and
who has grandfather who en-
er. joyed spending time
d by her with his, family, especial-
na M. ly his children .and
-In-Law grandchildren.
ims of Mr. Morgan is sur-
hildren: vived by his wife of 44
Villiams, years, Lana Buchanan
ms and Morgan, of Mayo, 1 son,
Lucas Sharold Morgan,
a step- and wife Susan, of.
L. Crum Mayo, 2 daughters, Ey-
Crum rone Morgan Bush, and
gone on husband Scot, of
was a Gainesville, Fla., and
er to Nakia Morgan Wether-
Misty, ington and husband Bri-
d Cathy an, of Boynton Beach,
en sweet Fla,, a sister, Catherine.
children Riggs, of Live Oak, 6
grandchildren, as well as
will be a host of nieces,
late, but nephews, other relatives
made in and friends.
,en Hos- Funeral services for
W. Lake Mr: Morgan were con-
Or go to ducted at 11 a.m. Mon-
ice.org. day, March 9, 2009 in
Funeral the Alton Church of
-matory,. God Family. Life Center
ak is in with Bro. Kenny Sulli-
arrange- van, Bro. Stephen Ruff,
Bro. Danny Rogers, and
Bro. James West officiat.-
organ ing.- ,.
S .Interment followed in
'ershing Pleasant Grove Ceme-
'Mayo, tery. The family received
y Friday friends from 5-8 p.m.,
Shands Sunday evening, March'
Jniversi- 8, 2009. also at Alton
allowing 'Church of God Family
ess. Life Center.
'as ana- All arrangements are
resident under the care of Joe P.
County v i.Burns Funeral ;Home.6.f
bornmon -Mayo" (386,)' 294-2658.

First Assembly

rates 50 years


Pastor & Mrs. Kenneth Sullivan and First Assem-
, bly of God congregation cordially invite you to at-
tend Mayo First Assembly's 50th Anniversary and
Homecomiing Celebration.Sunday,. March 22, 2009 at
10 am. ,,
- Special speaker is Rev. David Knight, Senior Pastor
of First Assembly of God, Vidalia, Ga.
Special music will be provided by the Millers.
.Everyone is invited for dinner on the grounds fol-
lowing the morning service.

Harvest-time Choir
All former Harvest-time choir members are invited
to join Mayo First Assembly of God Sanctuary Choir
during morning worship Homecoming Sunday
March 22, 2009, 10 a.m., under the direction of Paul
Pate and former choir leader Johnny Miller.
S' ****************
Revival at Mayo
First Assembly of God
Rev. David Knight, Vidalia, Ga. will hold revival
services at Mayo First Assembly of God on Mill St.
Monday March 23 through Wednesday, March 25,
2009.
Starting time is 7 p.m. each night.
For more information call Pastor Kenneth Sullivan
at 294-3211.


STHE STARS OF

THE SHOWS
If Red Bud and Japanese Magnolia trees are
the intro to spring then the Dogwood is the
main act. What would spring in North Florida
be without the Dogwood? Glowing like white
clouds on clear spring days.Dogwoods signal
the arrival of spring like no other!

BEST SUPPORTING
FLOWER
'Azaleas, Azaleas, Azaleas! Could there ever
be enough? There isn't anything quite as
showy as a huge bed of brightly colored
Azaleas with Dogwoods sprinkled .
throughout. If you happen to have couple of
towering pine trees you have created the
perfect spring drama!
Dogwoods starting at17 9


You may sign the guest-
book at www.joepburns-
funeralhomes.com.

David Andrew Owens

MR. DAVID AN-
DREW OWENS of Mayo
passed away Monday,
March 2, 2009 at Shands
of UP after a' short ill-
ness. 'He was 40 years of
age.
Mr. Owens moved to
Mayo from Old Town 2
years ago. He was a 911
dispatcher for Lafayette
County and formerly
worked with the
Gilchrist County 911 sys-
tem and the Dixie Coun-
ty Road Department. He
served in the United
States Army for 3 years,
serving in Korea. He en-
joyed fishing, motorcy-
cles, photography and
computers. He was a
member of Faith Baptist
Church.
He. is survived by his'
wife, Edith Michelle
Owens of Mayo and
their daughter Hailey
Margo Owens; parents,
Clyde and Margot
Owens of Old Town; and
brothers, Robert Owens
(Linda) of Cincinnati,
OH, Michael: J. Owens
(Carie) of Middletown,
OH. and Thomas C.
Owens of Old Town.
Funeral services were
held Thursday, March 5,
2009 at 11 AM at Faith
Baptist Church. in 'Old
Town with Rev. Jackie
Pettrey officiating. Bur-
ial followed in the Faith
Baptist Church Ceme-
tery. A visitation was
held Wednesday
-'evening at the funeral
home between the hours
of 5 and 7 PM.,
Arrangements were
placed under the care of
'the Rick Gooding Funer-
al J -ome,. Cross, City,
Florida 352498-5400..

AMERICAN CANCER
SOCIETY
RELAY FOR
LIFE BENEFIT
Benefit is presented by
the Mayo Woman's
Club. on Friday March
27, 6 p.m. at Old Florida
Company 'Auction ,'&
Coffee House, located at
152 W. Main St. Mayo,
in the .'historic 'brick
building by the court-
house.
Auction-' 'will feature
quality items, including
local business gift certifi-
cates & services, food,
household items, gift-
ware & jewelry
All auction monies col-
lected, will benefit
the 1st Lafayette County
Relay for Life to be held
April 17, 2009 at the LHS
Football Field
Funds from Relay stay
in our county Please
lend your support! For
more information call:
386 294-3906


9248 129th Road Live Oak HWY 90
(386) 362-2333
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 11TH STREET
Saturday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., '
Closed SundayM
"For over 30 Years" 5Ie,
WWW.NOBLESGREENHOUSE.COM
512509-F


PArF 2A THE MAYO FREE PRESS. Mavo, FL


THURSDAY, MARCH 12,2009











All are invited!! Sturgeon returning to Suwannee River


All are invited to: "Relationships that Work," a
conference led by Angie Land, Family Life Director
of the Lafayette Baptist Association.
The conference will be held on March 13, at 6:30
p.m. at Hatch Bend Baptist Church. Admission is
free.
For more information, call 935-0943 or e-mail at
hbbc@windstream.net.


Gospel Sing &


Revival at Lebanon


Baptist Church


Lebanon Baptist
Church will host a
gospel sing featuring
. "Southern Joy", Jr.
Combs, Wesley & Jessica
on March 14, 2009 at 6
p.m.
Also Revival services
will beheld March 15-
18, 2009 beginning at 7
p.m.
The speaker will be
Scotty Langford.
Come join us for the
gospel sing and then on




Thank


You
The family of Eve-
lyn Koon would like
'to thank Lafayette
.Health Care for their
loving'care of Mrs.
Koon during her stay
;there. The community
for your visits, cards,
food and expressions
of concern during her
illness. We thank
Burns Funeral Home
for their kindness and
help after her death
and our church family
at Alton Church of
God for the food and'
fellowship after her
funeral.


Sunday through
Wednesday for revival.


Manna

House

Accepting

Donations
Starting March 1,
through April 30,
2009 the Mayo Manna
House, Inc. will be ac-
cepting donations of
food and money for
the Feintein Matching
Grant.
They give $1 credit
for each, item or
pound of food, and
dollar for dollar, Any
and all donations are
greatly appreciated.
Thank you one and
all for your support
over the years.
Donald Imler


Band

Booster

meeting

There will be a band
booster meeting in the
band room at the high
school- on Tuesday,
March 17, at 6:30 p.m.


The Gulf sturgeon are beginning their annual mi-
gration back into the Suwannee River during March
and April.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission (FWC) reminds boaters to slow down and be
aware these fish are jumping. .
Three people were injured in accidental collisions
with jumping sturgeon during 2008.
"Just one person getting hurt is too many," said
Maj. Lee Beach, regional law enforcement comman-
der for the FWC's North Central Region, based in
Lake City. "We want people to be aware the stur-
geon are returning, and the risk of injury to boaters
does exist."
In 2006, FWC officials began working on a public
awareness campaign to alert boaters to the risks of
jumping sturgeon.
"We have posted signs at each boat ramp along the
Suwannee, explaining the risk of impacts with these
fish," Beach said. "We will be checking those boat
ramps this month to ensure all the signs are still in
place and our officers will be on water patrol during
this period and into the summer months in a contin-
ued effort to educate boaters on this issue."
What's the best course of action for avoiding a col-
lision?
"We recommend boaters reduce their speed to re-
duce the risk of impact and to give people more time
to react if they do encounter a jumping sturgeon,"
Beach said. "The FWC also recommends that all
boaters wear their life jackets."


The Suwannee River appears to support the largest
viable population of Gulf sturgeon. Biologists esti-
mate the annual population at 6,500 to 7,500 fish,
each averaging approximately 40 pounds. Adult fish
spend eight to nine months each year in the river
spawning and three to four of the coolest months in
Gulf waters. Sturgeon tend to congregate in deeper
and cooler waters with moderate currents and sand
and rocky bottoms.
Biologists are unsure why sturgeon jump.
"Scientists are still attempting to figure that out,"
said Dr. Jeffrey Wilcox, FWC biologist. "The latest
theories include that the fish jump to communicate,
or it may be a dominance display. No rules require
all jumps to mean the same thing.
"I have seen these collisions referred to as 'attacks.'
However, these fish are in no way 'attacking' when
they jump. They are simply doing what they have
been doing for millions of years ... jumping. They
aren't targeting the boaters," Wilcox said.
However, Gulf sturgeon can get quite big, exceed-
ing 8 feet and 200 pounds.
"They have five rows of rock-hard 'scutes' along
their sides, back and belly. When sturgeon and
boaters collide, the results can be devastating,"
Wilcox said.
"Sturgeon are protected by state and federal law,
just like bald eagles, panthers and sea turtles," Beach
said. "These fish can't be harvested."
To report sturgeon collisions, call 888-404-FWCC
(3922).


Spring Planting


A 0.N


l. 4 \. ')
Chris Vann,
county extension agent
Planting time for a
spring vegetable garden
is quickly approaching.
Historically, the last
freeze date for our area
is around March 10.
However, we all know
that damaging cold and
freezes can occur well
into April in our area.'
Planting many of the


spring vegetables is tied
closely to when we
thiik the damaging cold
is over. Spring vegeta-
bles like tomatoes, bell
pepper, squash, cucum-
bers, watermelons and
corn perform better in
more moderate temper-
atures. By getting the
plant in early, we avoid
the high temperatures,
humidity, insects and
disease pressure that
comes with our later
Florida weather. Some
of our Florida vegetable
favorites are more toler-
ant of the heat like:
peas,.eggplant, okra, hot
pepper and sweet. pota-


toes. They can be
planted later and per-'
form well.
In my own garden, I
am looking'at planting
around March 20, which
this year is the first day
of spring. But, I am
also prepared to provide
some form of plant pro-
tection if spring has not
truly arrived.' Watering
ahead of a freeze or cold
event can reduce dam-.
age. Also, have some
type of plant cover
available if needed. Re-
member to remove these
covers in a timely man-
ner once temperatures
begin to rise.


One other important .
point to mention is early
weed control. The most
important time for weed
control is in the first
four weeks after planti-
ng or emergence.
Weeds compete for wa-
ter, nutrients, space arid
light. Some research in-
dicates that by four-
weeks, some plants have
already determined how
well they will perform.
So, to improve your
chance of a successful
spring garden, plant ear-
ly as possible (as long as
you avoid cold damage)
and control those
weeds.


WILD AZALEA
FESTIVAL

dir..toic W4ito Spthi s
March 21st
9 a.m.- 4 p:m.
Featuring
Live Music and Dance Arts and Crafts Trail Hike
Wild Azalea Sale Great Food Little Miss Azalea -
S Duck Race Children's Area
,Special Features ,
Free-Plying Owls, Falcons and Hawks
The FloridaI Highwacymeen
Meet the artists and view the works of four original Floi-ida Highwaymen
Highwaymnen A rtist Reception
Alarch 2o, 6:3o p.m.-8:30o p.m.
Art Exhibit, public sale & lectures at
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Park admission fee of $4.oo00 per vehicle applies for special exhibits
Reception with artists Friday, March sofrom 6:30 p.mr.-8:30 p.m.-
admission $"5.oo
For additional information call (386) 397-4461 or (386) 397-2310
Brought toyou by the Town of White Springs,
The State of Florida's Nature & Heritage Tourism CentAr,
Stephen Poster Folk Culture Center State Park,
and the Stephen Poster CSO,
Additional Sponsorship provided by
Art League of North Florida
Funded in -part by Hamilton County Tourist Developmept Council
513635-F











It only takes three simple steps to report a malfunctioning streetlight:
S 1. Identify it: Make a note of the street address or the directions
where the streetlight is located. You can also get the ID number
from the pole.
2. Reportrit: Call 1.800.228.8485 and press #3 from the voice
menu or go to progress-energy.com/streetlightrepair and
fill out the streetlight outage form.

3. Provide your information: We need your contact
information to ensure that our technician can find and resolve
the problem promptly.


Thank you for your help!


aA Progress Energy


512913-F


THE MAYO FREE PRESS, Mayo, FL PAGE 3A


THURSDAY. MARCH 12.2009